The Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved its new country strategy for Poland for 2024-29. This strategy outlines three main priorities for the next five years: accelerating Poland’s green transition, enhancing the competitiveness of Polish companies through innovation, digitalisation, and good governance, and strengthening resilience and economic integration.
EBRD will continue supporting the expansion of renewable energy projects in Poland to accelerate its green transition. Given that fossil fuels currently dominate Poland’s energy supply, significant investment is required to increase renewable energy capacity and strengthen the grid to achieve the country’s target of 50% electricity production from renewable sources by 2030.
Additionally, investments in energy efficiency, particularly in residential buildings and district heating networks, are essential to decarbonise the economy and help Poland reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The Bank will focus on energy and resource efficiency in industry, buildings, and logistics, leveraging traditional and innovative financing products and engaging in policy advocacy to encourage more private-sector participation. The EBRD will also continue providing clients with advisory services on green technologies and practices.
To boost corporate competitiveness, the EBRD will support innovative and competitive Polish companies seeking to grow domestically and expand internationally. This focus is crucial for improving Poland’s stagnant manufacturing productivity and realising its economic growth potential. The Bank will emphasise equity investments in Polish companies where feasible and offer technical assistance to strengthen corporate and climate governance practices.
The EBRD will also work on enhancing Poland’s resilience to external shocks in three areas: energy security, capital markets, and regional integration. It will consider investments in expanding electricity transmission and distribution grids to better accommodate renewable energy production.
EBRD will assist Poland in leveraging its strategic position to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and greater integration into the European Union by investing in sustainable transport and logistics infrastructure to improve connectivity. The Bank will further focus on strengthening the Polish economy’s resilience to external shocks on three dimensions: energy security, capital markets and regional integration.
Last year, the Bank invested a record €1.3 billion in the country. Since beginning operations in Poland in 1991, the Bank has invested over €14.6 billion in 534 projects.